Oliver Deutschmann – Out of the Dark

Where Detroit techno meets its modern descendants, being made and played in techno's current spiritual heartland of Berlin, you'll find producer/DJ Oliver Deutschmann, and his vidab label. A regular favourite at Berlin's Berghain and Panorama Bar, his take on techno is clean, expansive and just the right side of minimal. Out of the Dark is his debut full-length release, after a string of 12”s on vidab and other labels.

Opening with a nod to bleeding-edge retro-futurist vibes on Fever, he quickly drops into 4-4 territory with the mellower, brighter Junglo. New World Order is fantastic, with distorted dragged vocal samples and muted synths building towards a jacking, propulsive climax. Sadness Descends has a glacial, gloomy melodic beauty, while his classic cut Siem Reap is given a satisfying re-rub with extra dub-bass on the kicks. By the time the subtly acid-tinged They Bleed Glitter peaks and the album closes, you'll be making a special place in your record bag for Mr Deustchmann. [Bram E. Gieben]